Dahlias

[Rowan]

Did I happen to mention that Dahlias happen to be one of my most favorite flowers? I grow them in my garden and dig them up faithfully every fall, and winter them over in my basement. This year, I bought some from a commercial grower to use for cut flower sales in a local farmer's market. They're just starting to come into bloom now. (I know, it's late--but we've had a really COLD summer so far --third coldest on record).

[abbyjen]

They are beautiful Rowan

That is interesting what you say about your summer as our statistics reveal apparently July was our 8th warmest in 150 years.

Of course our seasons are opposite

[Rowan]

Ours was the third coldest in 120 years!! We had some bad weather over the weekend. (And by bad, I mean that three counties have been declared disaster areas)The creek near the garden overflowed, and the garden was under about two feet of water. The glads were ruined, but the dahlias seemed to be able to tough it out!!

[abbyjen]

Rowan
I just noticed that you are in Zone 4 - I think it would be cold there anytime.

I am spoilt in what would be an equivalent to Zone 9.

Bet my friends in Texas would appreciate some cool and rain - apparently it has been hot and dry there since November and in spite of watering, cracks are forming in the ground.

So sorry about your glads but at least you still have your beautiful Dahlias

[vicki]

I love dahlia's too. I threw some that I thought were goners in the compost
and lo and behold there are two huge plants on top of the pile. 'Christine' is one, and the other is named too, but I don't have it handy.
Sorry about your glads.

[Rowan]

I think Del was asking how many varieties of dahlias I would grow if I were more able to do the garden work, so I sat down and tried to list all of the ones that I have currently. I surprised myself!

If anyone would like to trade some tubers next fall, I'm always interested in new varieties. My best sellers are the large A (decorative) and AA (dinner plate), and some of the smaller B sizes (6"-8"). So those tend to be the ones that I have the most of, and like to collect.

Black Narcissus*
Show-n-tell*
Snowbound*
Aslan
Kidd's Climax
Procyon*
Arabian Night
Thomas Edison
Mingus Ida
Blackberry Ripple
Millenium
Black Wizard
Grand Finale*
Clair Obscur
Bodacious
Dana
Mom's Special
Santa Claus
Boogie Woogie
Brindisi
Sellwood Glory
Seewood Glory
Croyden Masterpiece
Rip City
Mystery Day*
Kelvin Floodlight*
Barbarossa*
Corona
My Love*
Friquolet*
Who Dun It
Maki
Art Act
Kenora Macob
Crazy Love
Sherbert Delight
Swan's Desert Storm
Pennhill Watermelon
Oregon Reign
FDNY
Danum Meteor
Ben Huston
Maniac
Iceberg
Orange Julius
Orange Sherbert
Envy
Sierra Glow
Spartacus*
Kenora Lisa
Papageno
Tyler James
Gerry Scott*


Some I have quite a few of, some I bought for the purpose of exhibition. Once they start blooming next summer, I'll post pictures (promise).

The ones with the asterisks are the ones I'll have enough of to trade. Next year, I'll have about 15 more varieties available. (The great thing about dahlias is that they make more dahlias!!)